Bible’s 9-11
Revelation 9
11They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
In the last part, we study something plain about Devil’s scene around 9-11.
1. 9-11 was Devil’s plan, he is the true mastermind of what happened (Rev 9:11)
2. He used a person, or "a star" (Rev 9:1)
3. This "star" is a key-person to opened bottomless pit
4. The essence of the attack NOT the attack itself, but the impact AFTER that (9:2)
5. The target: ALL HUMANKIND
6. Not to kill, but to harm or hurt, to brought confusion, division, to torment man’s deepest soul
7. This will keep going for years
8. God will protect the righteous, people who had the zeal
II. Why?
People asked and still asking this question because we were not ready for all of this. It happened so soon.
Eccl. 9:11-12
"I have seen something else under the sun: ... so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them."
The FAQ always, "Why, God? Why this must happened to us?"
The answers:
1. God’s wrath
Isa. 9:11-12, "But the LORD has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.12 Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,
his hand is still upraised."
Jer. 9:11; Ezek. 9:11; Dan. 9:11; Hos. 9:11-17
All of these verses mentioned how God [in His holy anger] Himself allowed destruction or war happened to His own people.
I agree with Tom Brown, who said: "God’s wrath is His sadly, with breaking heart, giving us up to the consequences, immediate and eternal OF OUR OWN CHOICES. Our Heavenly Father pleads with us so long as there is any chance that we will come to Him. Only WHEN THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY of reconciliation does He sadly turn away," and take away His protection over us as well.
2. Because of our own fault
Neh 9:11-38. These passages told us about how good and awesome God is. But everything can be ruin just because you and I choose to turn Him away.
Ezra 9:11, "you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: ’The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other."
3. God has a purpose
Job 9:11, "When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him."
Rom 9:11, "Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:"
What a wonderfull blessing to know that we can’t understand God. Many people try to understand God: what his up to, what He is thinking, or something like that. If we can understand God, and we become God, isn’t it right? Our understanding must based on God’s revelation and not on knowledge. Job said, "I cannot perceive Him!" That’s wonderful! Who can claimed that he knows exactly what is God’s exactly doing? What we have faith that Rom 8:28 is His real attention for us.
4. God prepared "the good things"
Heb 9:11-14, "When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation..."
III. God’s promises
1. Victory over our enemies, Ex. 9:11.
Our victory achieve by prayer and fasting, Esther 9:11.
Our true victory will be achieve by prayer and fasting, NOT by earthly war, but by heavenly war!
2. Psalms 9:8-12
- God shall judge, v.8
- refuge for the oppresed (stronghold), v.9
- not forsake, v.10
- avenges blood. Why? because God remembers what happen to thousands of people who died on 9-11.
Remember! God will avenge for us, this will be God’s part NOT ours. v.12
- And not forget the cry of the humble, v.12
3. There will be joyfull praises in His Church
Amos 9:11, "In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be,... "
4. God will set the prisoners free
Zechariah 9:11-17
"11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
12 Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope;
even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
13 I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.
14 Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south,
15 and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar.
16 The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.
17 How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women."
Oh, I can’t hold my tears when I read this wonderful tremendous promises from God! O, let your Holy visitation sweep all the nations! Amen!
(Next: What must we do these days? and Healing the Hurting Heart (HHH))
